Canada defeated the USMNT 2-1 in the third-place game on Sunday, giving Mauricio Pochettino’s side two losses in four days against regional foes.
Following a shocking defeat to Panama in the semifinal on Thursday, the U.S. was unable to bounce back on Sunday and will now have plenty of soul-searching to do ahead of the Gold Cup this summer.
Tani Oluwaseyi opened the scoring for Canada in the 27th minute, but the USMNT responded through Patrick Agyemang eight minutes later. But it was Jonathan David who ensured Canada would have the last laugh, with the prolific Lille star scoring the winner in the 59th minute.
Let’s look at how the USMNT performed in a dismal end to a dismal international window.
As a reminder, here’s the Pro Soccer Wire player rating scale:
- 1: Abysmal. Literally any member of our staff would have been been able to play at this level.
- 6: Adequate. This is our base score.
- 10: Transcendent, era-defining performance. This is Carli Lloyd vs. Japan in the 2015 World Cup final.
GK: Matt Turner – 5
Turner saw three shots on target, with two of those ending up in the back of the net. Unlike the game against Panama, the U.S. goalkeeper really couldn’t be faulted on either of the goals. But he also didn’t do much to convince Pochettino he needs to remain the starter. His one save was routine and his distribution was again lacking. His poor long throw resulted in a giveaway that began the sequence which ended in David’s goal.
LB: Max Arfsten – 5
Arsten had a few solid defensive plays, including a big block on Tajon Buchanan early in the game. From there, though, the Columbus Crew defender didn’t contribute enough on either side of the ball. The 23-year-old was just 4-for-13 in his duels and couldn’t get enough bend on a late chance to tie the game from inside the box.
CB: Mark McKenzie – 6.5
McKenzie continues to level up on the back of last summer’s move to Toulouse. He was everywhere the USMNT needed him to be for most of the game, looking like the team’s most reliable defender on the night. He was also 72 of 74 passing including 3-for-4 on long balls. His only blemish was a badly missed header near midfield, which led to a David breakaway that could have easily been a goal.
CB: Cameron Carter-Vickers – 4.5
It was another tough showing in a USMNT jersey for Carter-Vickers, who has to take some of the blame on both Canada goals.
Though he wasn’t helped by his midfield, Carter-Vickers was too hesitant on Canada’s opener. The Celtic defender stepped out but didn’t get close to the ball, leaving Oluwaseyi free behind him. He was more at fault on Canada’s second, as he didn’t sense the danger in David’s presence early enough and was late stepping over to block the shot.
RB: Joe Scally – 5
Returning to his natural right-back spot, Scally didn’t have the same impact that he did at left back against Panama. He wasn’t involved much in the attack and after a 30th-minute yellow card for a high challenge, he was hauled off at halftime.
CM: Tyler Adams – 5
Any evaluation of Adams’ night has to start with the midfielder’s uncharacteristic lack of awareness on Canada’s opener. Adams allowed Ismaël Koné and David to drift in behind him in the box, with the latter’s blocked shot leading to Oluwaseyi’s goal.
Adams did lead the USMNT on the night with four interceptions, but the Bournemouth midfielder didn’t contribute much in the attacking phase as usual and, more worryingly, wasn’t as present defensively either.
CM: Weston McKennie – 5
McKennie played more of a withdrawn role than he did against Panama, but wasn’t any more effective than he was on Thursday. The Juventus midfielder again failed to stamp his authority on the match in any phase of the game. McKennie went just 24 for 35 passing, was 1-for-8 in duels and failed to generate any chances.
LW: Christian Pulisic – 5
Pulisic had some flashes of inspiration but overall, it was another subpar display for the AC Milan star. Pulisic only had 21 touches during his 70 minutes on the field, failing to create any chances or take any shots. A highly frustrating international window for a player who usually contributes much more.
CAM: Diego Luna – 7
Luna continues to show he belongs with the A-team. He was all over the field on both sides of the ball, going everywhere his team needed to help spark attacking moves. Luna’s composure and awareness in the box on his assist for Agyemang was outstanding. On a team that is clearly lacking some fight, Luna’s xDawg is just as valuable as his xA right now.
RW: Tim Weah – 6.5
Weah was one of the more positive attacking players for the USMNT, as he at least showed some fight and willingness to take defenders on. Weah’s two completed dribbles led the USMNT and his through ball to Luna was vital in setting up Agyemang’s goal. The Juventus man ultimately lacked some end product, but he definitely wasn’t the problem on the night.
FW: Patrick Agyemang – 6
Agyemang struggled for much of the game, as Canada’s defenders got the better of him in several duels and his hold-up play was lacking. But as he’s now done in three of his four USMNT caps, Agyemang found the net. His first-time finish off Luna’s dish wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to beat Dayne St. Clair. If he keeps scoring for the USMNT, he’ll keep getting chances.
Sub: Marlon Fossey – 5.5
Fossey came on at the break for Scally and got up the right flank more than his predecessor. The Standard Liège man didn’t have much success in the final third, however, as he struggled to solve Alistair Johnston. Defensively he held his own, but he also had a bad turnover that led to a dangerous Canada free kick.
Sub: Gio Reyna – 6
Reyna often dropped in deep to get on the ball with Luna also on the field. In a recurring theme for the midfielder, he didn’t have a lot of time to impact the game after coming on with 20 minutes to play. He did have some encouraging passing sequences and solid set-piece delivery, but ultimately couldn’t make a major impact.
Sub: Yunus Musah – 6
Musah was mostly peripheral after coming on midway through the second half.
Sub: Tanner Tessmann – 6
Tessmann also wasn’t involved much as a substitute, but did complete eight of eight passes.
Sub: Brian White – 5
White was preferred over Josh Sargent for the last 15 minutes, but didn’t make the most of his brief chance. He couldn’t get a strike away from six yards out as his chest down from a corner kick ran away from him, squandering the best late chance the U.S. had to equalize.